Mimmo

With the weather set to be good for this coming Wednesday, and little more to watch on TV than the National Movie Awards, then there can be no better reason than to come along to the Norfolk Arena for an evening of sheer splendour (Ye gods, 7.45am and I'm still under the influence!!) Winners of the League, Cup, League Trophy and NL Pairs last year, Buxton have every intention of trying to hold onto at least one of those pieces of silverware. The Derbyshire side have made a slower start to the campain than they'd have hoped, but with Norfolk Arena track specialists like Adam Allott and Robert Branford in the their side, the tide will surely be turned, which should make for an absorbing contest. The 'Young Stars' have made a good start to the season considering they've been operating with a six-man team, and gave a great account of themselves at Rye House (Hackney) on Saturday, despite the defeat. But with the signing of Scott Campos late last week thus bringing the team back up to full strength, gives us every opportunity to start climbing the league table. All 3-points on offer will elevate us to second place, just two points behind current leaders Hackney, and with your support, I'm sure we can achieve that feat. The action all gets underway at 7.30pm with admission prices set at: ADULTS £10 CONCESSIONS £7 JUNIORS (12-15) £3 11 & under FREE. So as you can see, you haven't got to break the bank to enjoy your National League Speedway in Norfolk.

All I'm getting when I click onto that is some adverts!

Yep, that's me, didn't think you'd be able to remember that far back...but there again

I'm an idiot (forget it Parsloes)..............IT'S OFFICIAL. I now admit that I fall into the above category, as I just could not sit at home and miss this meeting all because of Len wanting to rip us fellow pensioners off, so I duly made the journey from Norfolk so as to top up the poor old boys state pension. As much as I wanted to boycott the meeting, like seemingly the majority of fans in that neck of the woods do, I just felt/feel that the riders deserve better than that, and need our support. Did I enjoy proceedings.......the answer is yes, very much so, after almost suffering two cardiac arrests! The first threat of CA came on arrival at the turnstiles, when confirmation of £12 for a concessionary admission was received. Another flutter came when I was asked if I really wanted more than one racecard (yep, no programme as such) for the two of us that entered (to be fair, they were given without any further question), when at that price, I should have been afforded the box full. Once inside the well kept stadium, and I'm being sincere with those comments, I stopped to use my inhalers so as to reboot my shocked system, before proceeding to see what goodies the HACKNEY track shop had for sale. Trackshop one HACKNEY/RYE HOUSE/LAKESIDE supporter said, "You're 'avin' a 'bleedin' larf ain't yer, you'll get blah blah all at this place". So disappointed that I couldn't puchase a souvenir with the resurrected Hackney name on (I know it's weird that a former Wimbledon fan should ever want to contemplate buying anything with that name on it), I made my way to the very steeped stepped grandstand, and chose a good vantage point where the pigeons hadn't previously visited. Next task was to read the programme (sorry, racecard) which consisted of 'Lens Lines' printed on a RYE HOUSE headed document, which took less than a minute (Why can't a proper Hackney programme be produced, like Boston did at King's Lynn?). Chips eaten, coffee drunk, Lens Lines read and an interesting chat with some former Wimbledon fans sat at the side of me, it was time for the march-out, led by the ever increasing wealthy Uncle Len. "Good evening ladies, gentlemen, boys & girls" came the greeting from the enthusiastic and aging sounding promoter, as I realised my heart rate and peak flow readings had returned to normal, following my earlier shock on arrival at the stadium. Enter the second almost CA as Len requests that we all run about a lot due to the fact there are not many punters in, and it will help make it look more!!!!!! Oh dear Leonard George Silver, born Mile End, Tower Hamlets on the 2nd February 1932, when oh when are you going to realise and accept that the reason people aren't there, is due to a large extent because of your pricing policy. Apart from the fact that generally speaking, folk can't afford to pay £12 to watch a National League meeting when they also have a Premier League side operating at the same venue, it's plain to see that those who can, aren't prepared to do so. Speculate to accumulate Len, you might lose a few bob at the turnstiles by reducing the admission price, but on the other hand get the shortfall back through your catering outlets. As for the meeting itself, I've got to say that it was raced on a very well prepared track, with little evidence of it's notorious blue line making an appearance. The riders looked as though they were contended with the conditions that were presented to them, and this showed in the quality of the racing (my third best meeting of the season at any track). As much as I would have like the Young Stars to have won, it wasn't to be, and the better team on the night did emerge victorious. Shane Hazelden at just 17-years of age, looks a gilt-edged prospect, as does Ben Hopwood and Ben Morley, and they will play a huge part in any future success that Hackney may reap. King's Lynn too look a side for the future, with the likes of Jake Knight, Tom Stokes, Lewis Kerr and Oliver Rayson poised to make the big breakthrough. So in conclusion, it was an extremely enjoyable evening, the like of which could and should be seen by a lot of local people, if only the price was.......well you know. Good luck to both teams for the remainder of the season, and thanks for the almost second to none entertainment.

I don't think Scott Campos is coming into the side until next Wednesday......but there again!!

Five posts about/on this meeting and that's it!! Are there any Hackney/Rye House or King's Lynn fans that are going to attend this meeting? What are your thoughts on the meeting, and who do you think will win? Is it thought many people will be in attendance? Is there any Hackney merchandise? Is the programme for 'Hawks' meeting a decent read, or is a boring sheet of paper? Will you.....................Will I.................Oh heck, is there anyone out there that wants to show any interest in the meeting?

Yeah I know, that's what makes the NL price so outrageous and unattractive to would be punters. Uncle Len spoke at the Norfolk Arena recently and urged people to pay their money at the turnstiles and support the kids, as they are our sports future. He's 100% correct of course, but not at that price. I could understand it if they were a stand alone club in that league but they're not, and as far as I'm concerned, that is ripping people off. No good moaning if your crowds are poor at any time Len, because you're the cause of it. As far as I'm aware, other clubs concessions rates are: - Belle Vue £7 Buxton (Stand Alone) £8 Dudley (Stand Alone) £6 Stoke (Stand Alone) £10 Mildenhall (Stand Alone) £10 Scunthorpe/Sheffield £8 Hackney at Lakeside £10 Newport £8 Isle of Wight (Stand Alone) £11 King's Lynn £8

Yes Paul, like you, I'm looking forward to this meeting as I do with all National League matches, but just hope there is some dirt on the track so they can race rather than ride, and in safety. Do they print a proper Hackney programme, or is it the normal Rye House proggie with 'Hawks' details inside. Don't suppose there will be many KL folk there as the 'Stars' are racing at Eastbourne that same evening, which is a shame for followers of the club. Weather forecast sounds good, so if any KL or Rye House folk aren't following their senior sides on their travels, then do pop down to the Hoddesdon circuit for 7.00pm. Oh, I've just been told admission is £12 for concessions, which is scandalous, so may think again.

Our programme on the 20th April showed that the meeting is not taking place tomorrow.

Please anyone, don't think I'm criticising Rob over the lighting, because I'm not, I was just posing a question. I admire everything that Rob and Co have done at the Eddie Wright Raceway, and as I have said before, it is one of my favourite venues in the entire country to visit, I just wish I could come more often.

5.30pm was chosen because of the football down the road, but having said that, it would only have started 30-minutes earlier anyway. As sad as it is, with the exception of yesterday because King's Lynn were there, I've had to stop going to Scunny for weekend meetings, due to numerous reasons because of the later start time. 3.00pm was fine, and I used to enjoy my regular trips to the EWR when they rode home meetings on a Sunday. Obviously from a business point of view, the management decided to switch to Friday nights, as one would assume they thought it would be more financially viable, as it would draw bigger crowds, and you can't blame them for that. However, I heard quite a number of people saying yesterday that they don't attend regularly anymore because of the lateness of proceedings, and certainly don't like the long drawn out double-headers. I thought the crowd level looked quite poor last night considering it was a bank holiday, especially as clubs around the country have been reporting boom time at their turnstiles this Easter. Maybe Sunday afternoon would have been a better day to have staged, when people could have turned out in beach wear, rather than having to be equiped for an Antartic expeidition as we were last night. I don't know if any regular Scunny fans agree with me or not, but do you not think the floodlights are either positioned to low, or are not bright enough. Granted it could be my eyes (I am over 21 now!!), but it seems to be so difficult to distinguish between the white & yellow helmet colours under lights, and the track looks so dark, dismal and uninviting. I'm not trying to be critical of the club in any shape or form, but just posing a question to those who attend on a weekly basis. In fact I've gone on record as saying in the past, and still hold the same views of sheer admiritation for what has been achieved at the EWR like I do with Buxton, and still think that Scunthorpe produces probably the most exciting racing I ever see at any track. Anyway, I'll shut up now, as I've probably already upset at least one Scorpions fan, and that isn't my intention. Good luck with your meetings against Edinburgh & Hackney next Monday.

I can only echo the comments made by Montie, Squall and Exciled Cuda. A fantastic meeting, far superior to the earlier PL match. Had James Cockle not suffered his varying problems, we may well have won, but hey, I'm taking nothing away from Scunny, particularly Greg Blair!! Along with Jake Knight, they stole the show for me.

WHAT!!!!!!!

As the forecasters promised, it's a beautiful warm day here in West Norfolk, in fact it's just perfect for a night at the speedway. Hopefully there will be the expected convoy of coaches from Mildenhall heading along the A10, so if you're coming Parsloes, leave yourself plenty of time. As for you Bryn, you don't need your thick sweater this evening, that lovely striped tank-top that your Auntie Mable knitted you for your birthday will suffice. So the ingredients are all there for a perfect occassion......GOOD WEATHER.......TWO ENTERTAINING TEAMS.......AND.......BRYN IN HIS TANK-TOP.

With Wednesday forecast to be one of the warmest days of the year so far, the stage is set for what should be a cracking evening of racing at the Norfolk Arena. Following the highly successful re-opening of Mildenhall on Sunday afternoon, raced in front of possibly the largest crowd ever seen at a third tier meeting, the ingredients are all there for this to be a local derby of the highest order. Whether a crowd of that level can be seen again this week remains to be seen, but with the talent on view, there certainly deserves to be. This will be the one and only time that these two great rivals meet on track in Norfolk this campaign, so which ever team you support, please come along and give your club the suuport they deserve. Although it's nothing to do with this meeting, I would just like to inform the 'Young Stars' fans that are thinking about going to Scunthorpe on Easter Monday for our National League fixture, that the meeting will go ahead immediately after the Scorpions have finished their Premier League match against Somerset at around 7pm. As an additional bonus, our own Darren Mallett has been chosen to challenge Ashley Birks for the Bronze Helmet.

I actually think the same as both you and Parsloes about where the Olympic Stadium is located, it's just that I put both the former Hackney Stadium and the Olympic Stadium addresses into the RAC route finder, and it told me they were either 1.7 or 1.9 miles apart. With that in mind, I wrote what I did in case my initial thoughts were wrong.

I'm glad that I've waited until this morning to post my comments, especially as there are some good postings with positive views on last nights meeting. Had I posted last night, I dare say I'd have said some things in the heat of the moment, which isn't what I'd have wanted. However, I'm still seething over the attitude of a number of KING'S LYNN fans that passed comments to me such as "That's rubbish, I'm not paying good money to come and watch that again" (stupid remark anyway, as I know for a fact that they got in for free last night, then had the audacity to complain about having to pay £1 for what they called a rubbish programme!!). Other comments were "How can you compare that to Elite League racing, nah you bleedin' can't". Although I don't know you people personally, you know me, and I find your disgraceful remarks an insult to those young men (yes I know there were a few not so young) who put on what I thought as do people who travelled from afar to watch this meeting, an excellent evenings entertainment. To those who made the remark about how can you compare that to Elite League racing, my answer is you don't and shouldn't have to compare it, it's a completely different level for goodness sake. Yes of course the racing is slower, but speed doesn't make for a better race, and as Bryn has said, some of the times recorded last night were faster than what we've seen from some Elite League riders thus far this year anyway. Last night we saw a fifteen-year old, two 16-year olds, two 17-year olds, two 18-year olds, one 20-year old, one 21-year old amongst the field all learning their trade, in the hope that one day they might become not just a World Champion, but a BRITISH WORLD CHAMPION. All lads serving their apprenticeship whilst at the same time putting their health on the line to entertain us, as we sadly saw with Adam Lowe (and he's only twenty-two). How many of you people, whatever line of work you were/are in, had advanced any higher in your chosen profession at that age, so why expect it of these young riders. As Len Silver said in his excellent interview with Kevin Moore, how are we ever going to produce another British World Champion if you don't show your support at the turnstiles for these National League meetings, something some of you seem to have already decided you're not going to do! I'm not going to say that it was the best meeting I've seen this season, but it was most certainly equal to the best, however, the performance of Tom Stokes in Heat 7 was head and shoulders better than anything else I've seen in 2011. Mildenhall are in town next Wednesday, and I'm sure that the true speedway fans will once again be entertained, as they were last night. I do hope that the injury to Adam Lowe heals quickly, and that he's soon up and about on his feet again. Mike Moseley

The weather's not to bad at all Derek, but it is quite cold.

Yes Whippy, I've been writing in the Berwick programme for what I believe is 21-years, yet still they won't grant me a testimonial

Yes Whippy, but look how nice it would be for all concerned, if dozens of 'Stars' fans that always snub National League racing, could be encouraged to come along and see what they are missing too.

Trundling, but I wouldn't fancy doing that at any speed.

I must say that the Young Stars looked extremely sharp during the course of p & p today, and I've thought that Garry May's prediction in last weeks Speedway Star that we'll finish 10th is way off the mark. Skipper, James Cockle was absent as he was taking an exam, and Oliver Rayson is overseas at the moment, but the rest of the squad were in attendance. Also out on track for a few practice laps was Filip Šitera, and to see him riding a bike, sitting on the machine backwards, was something I've never witnessed before, and quite amazing. So the cobwebs have now been dusted off, and the lads are eagerly looking forward to next Wednesday evening, when they take on one of the mosr famous names in British Speedway, the Hackney 'Hawks'. If you weren't at King's Lynn last night, I would point out, that if you attend Monday nights televised meeting against Lakeside (7.30pm), you'll be given a voucher that will entitle you to free admission two nights later for the mouth watering National League fixture. With money being so tight these days, that's one gift horse that shouldn't be looked in the mouth.

I've not seen rain like this in years, and the drive out of Scunny was quite hairy to say the least in places. Terrible shame that what looked as though it was going to be a good meeting, had to be abandoned. Consolation is of course that we were treated to a a couple of scintillating (not sure I've spelt that correctly) meetings prior to that. I hope you have better luck with the weather this Friday.